The aim is to achieve a sense of con- tentment and inner peace. So, set aside your phones and computers for a while, wrap yourself in a blan- ket and light some scented candles – because they’re all part of this phi- losophy. And one interesting curi- osity is that Danes are the biggest consumers of candles in Europe, and they don’t only use them to create a calmer atmosphere at home, but also at work. Lagom This Swedish term describes that having just as much as you need is actually ideal, neither too little nor too much. It dates back to Viking times, when it represented the prin- ciple that enough food should be left for everyone after a hard day. Lag- om translates as “the right measure”, or, as Anna Brones describes in her book Live Lagom: Balanced Living, the Swedish Way, “neither too much nor too little”, or actually “something in between”. Moderation is also present as a life concept in the teachings of ancient Latin and is at the core of Buddhism, but the Serbian language has always knowntheterm“goldenmean”.How- ever, the inventive Swedes transfer this moderation to all branches of so- cial action – from diet to dress style, habits, design, relations towards the natural environment etc. Dolce Far Niente This Italian motto can be loose- ly translated as “pleasant idleness”, and although such thinking could support the stereotypes that other Europe nations have towards their Mediterranean neighbours, the fact remains that this “sweet idleness” is an integral part of a successful life… And here’s why: Dolce Far Niente is more than “not having to do any- thing” - it’s an opportunity to gath- er your thoughts by allowing your- self to be overwhelmed by calmness. And if you happen to experience your “dolce far niente” moment in nature, you will understand fully why the Italians are one of Europe’s happi- est nations with the longest life ex- pectancy.
are rooted in Eastern cultures, but in recent years relevance has also been given to those that form part of the harmoniousness of Scandinavia – a region that is increasingly cited as a positive example of a balanced exist- ence. Last but not least, there are al- so little Mediterranean lessons for enjoyment that are perhaps the clos- est to our mentality. Hygge Danes continuously occupy a high position among the world’s happiest nations according to nu- merous studies, so it comes as no surprise that hygge, as their “law of pleasure”, has become a global phe- nomenon. We could translate Hyg- ge as comfort, pleasantness or cosi- ness, although the Danes consider that it can’t be translated into words but rather must be felt. The principle of hygge is based on everyday pleas- ures and an awareness of the little things that life provides for us. That could mean reading a good book with a cup of tea, spending time with fam- ily and friends, or strolling in a park. Danes continuously occupy a high position among the world’s happiest nations Danci uvek zauzimaju visoku poziciju među najsrećnijim nacijama sveta Prema brojnim istraživanjima,
HYGGE, LAGOM, DOLCE FAR NIENTE ...
How do you say idyll in the world's languages? Even if we've never heard of some of them, we perhaps instinctively feel them and already apply them unconsciously in our desire to live more peacefully, beautifully, meaningfully...
WITH THE HECTIC PACE OF DAILY LIFE, WE are all seek- ing shortcuts to a happy life and a sense of satisfaction with that which surrounds us. It is therefore no sur- prise that, every few years, the focus of our attention is drawn towards dif- ferent habits from other regions that help the residents of these countries to achieve a balance between the tra- ditional and the modern. Some of these “small schools of a better life”
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